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Breast Cancer Awareness Month October 2008
Every year October in New Zealand is breast cancer awareness month. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, with around 2,400 cases diagnosed each year in New Zealand and around 600 deaths per year. So, what can you do to prevent it or catch it early?
Those people who are most likely to develop breast cancer are women who are getting older (and some men). The lifetime risk in women is about 11% or 1:9 women. In your 30s your risk is 1:204; in your 50s 1:35; in your 70s 1:38.
The official cause of breast cancer is not known. However, we do know that the breast cancer incidence rate has been increasing. We know that there is some genetic influence. However, 95% of people who develop breast cancer have no family history of it. We know that breast cancer is influenced by diet and lifestyle factors because it has been found that Japanese women living in Japan have a very low rate of breast cancer but when they move to the USA and adopt the local lifestyle, their breast cancer rate increases to match the USA rate.
Diet and lifestyle factors known to influence breast cancer include exercise, which is a potent improver of all health. We know that once you have more than three alcoholic drinks a week your breast cancer risk starts to increase. Sleep deprivation is also a subtle influence towards breast cancer because we know that getting enough melatonin, by getting to bed and being asleep before 10:30pm, helps tremendously.
Many fruits and vegetables, and fibre in the diet, reduces all cancers. You should limit animal fats, sugar, trans fatty acids and hydrogenated fats―the latter types of fats are found in heated or processed foods and cause cancer. Other foods that are helpful in preventing breast cancer include olive oil, green tea and curcumin, which is found in tumeric.
Every woman should have a breast check with their family doctor regularly and undertake breast cancer screening. You need to do both of these, not one or the other, because mammograms are around 80% reliable and can sometimes miss a lump that your doctor will be able to detect―the reverse is also possible―your doctor may not be able to feel the lump that the mammogram will detect.
Finally, if you are ever worried about any change in your breast whatsoever, you should have it checked out. You are not wasting anyone’s time and the value of reassurance is tremendous.
Copyright © Dr Frances Pitsilis 2008
For information on events in your area during Breast Cancer Awareness Month visit www.nzbcf.org.nz
Encouraging early detection of breast cancer
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